Effect of crocin on p27 expression in the nmu-induced breast cancer tumors in female rats

Introduction: Saffron, the dry stigma of the Crocus Sativus L. has been known not only as a spice but also as a highly valuable medicinal plant. Among the saffron various medicinal properties, the anticancer effect has been more considered[1, 2]. Crocin is one of the important bioactive compounds in saffron and as a natural carotenoid with di-gentiobiosyl ester at each end of the molecule[3]. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and the most common malignancy among women and the induction of mammary tumors following the administration of NMU in rat is a preferred model of breast cancer induction in the experimental animals for investigating of breast cancer in women[4]. P27 is one of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors that its function leads to cell cycle arrest. Low expression of p27 gene in the most of breast cancers has been observed[5].According to our recent studies, Crocin suppressed tumor growth in the NMU-induced breast cancer in rats. To investigate on the possible molecular mechanism of this effect, we studied p27 expression in the tumor tissues. Methods: The processes of crocin extraction and purification from saffron; induction of breast cancer in rats by NMU injection and their treatment with crocin were done according to our previous established methods[6]. Then, expression of p27 gene was checked by the RT - PCR in the tumor tissues.Results: The results indicated, there is no significant change in the expression of p27 gene in tumors of the rats after treatment with crocin in comparison to the group without treatment. Although a decrease in the expression of p27 gene in tumors of the rats without crocin treatment in comparison to the normal breast tissue was observed.Conclusion: Since no significant change, in p27 expression in tumors of the rats which were treated with crocin, was observed, crocin probably did not act through p27 pathway.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crocin ، Breast cancer ، p27 ، N-nitroso-methyl urea(NMU)